SIN FEIN REVOLT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 5

SIN FEIN REVOLT

THE INQUIRY SIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY THE OFFICIAL SIDE OF THE CASE By TeJeeraph—Preeß Association—CoDjTight London, May 18. The Royal Commission oil tho Irish rebellion has opened at Westminster. ( Viscount Hardinge (Permanent UnderSecretary at the Foreign Office), who presided, said that the Commission proposed to inquire as to what system existed to acquaint tho officials of the movements culminating in the outbreak, what information each responsible official obtained, to whom it was communicated, and what steps were taken. The National Volunteers. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Matthew Nathan (who resigned his office of Under-Secre-tary to tho Lord. Lieutenant of Ireland on May 6) gavo evidence that the National Volunteers were the Nationalists' answer to the Ulstermen's organisation. Ho next read the manifesto of the majority of the Provisional Committee opposing Ireland's participation in the war. Of 180,000 members prior to the manifesto, only 11,000 adhered to the dislo3 - al section. The vast bulk declared for loyalty to Mr. Redmond and the Parliamentary Party. Witness also read a manifesto in wiiich tho disloyal section declared that henceforth Ireland should provide her own defences by means of a permanent army and trained volunteer forces, and should also forcibly resist any attempt to place Irishmen in military service until a free National Government has been established. Impetus was given the National Volunteer movement owing to the fear that the Service Bill would apply to Ireland., This brought numbers into the Sinn. Peiu movement, which at the beginning of the disturbance had a 'membership estimated at 15,200, including 12,000. in the provinces. Seditious Literature. Considerable sums of money from America. were used to purchase arms and in printing seditious newspapers and leaflets. Paid organisers were sent to tho provinces. ' 'i'he police estimated that before tho outbreak these volunteers had ( rifles made in 18S6, pistols, and popguns. About 825 rifles were found at different places, Steps wero taken to . prevent Civil Servants joining the volunteers. Action against the publication »of seditious literature was less strict. The Irish Government considered it important that the Irish Volunteers should not becomo a military organisation, aud steps were taken to prevent their securing arms and ammunition. Until three days prior to the outbreak there was no definite proof of any connection with a foreign enemy. A memorandum reported to have boen found upon a pro-German leader stated -that the Germans intended a combined offensive by land, air, and sea to secure a victory before May, and requested the Irish Volunteers to be ready to render their promised assistance. The Young Irish Volunteers on March 16 were anxious to commence business immadiately, but the. leaders were against the rising, MacDonagh stating that it would bo sheer madness to attempt .it unless help was forthcoming. .

The Line of Least Resistance. They received a report on March 27 that u rising of volunteers was not feared, as, staining alone, they were not prepared for a long campaign, the majority being untrained, or to encounter trained troops. The volunteers' gradually endeavoured to secure -rifles and ammunition, and' to' sfore as large a' tmnnfily'jas ; possible. This pointed to a real danger, : but it was considered that Government raids lor arms or attempted disarmament would cause Woodshed. Dublin Castle received information that German submarines would attempt to land arms. Hero Sir Matthew Nathan stopped, and saidi "1 had better not read tho remainder of the statement" ' He added that the police and military on the coasts were-ordered to watch,, and, learning that the Castle was. to be attacked the same night, special precautions wevo taken. Tho authorities discussed a polioe search under military protection, the forcible entry into Liberty Hall, the disarmament of volunteers, and the arrest of the leaders. The association of tha leaders with a foreign enemy was considered'sufficient to justify their arrest, which was decided upon with the Chief Secretary's (Mr. Birrell) concurrence. Various acts of rebellion were notified on April 2-1. 'Pistol.- shots were heard while the situation was being discussed at the Castle. ; The disarmament of any body of organised and trained' men not under Government control might havo alienated the sympathies of many, loyal volunteers. Moreover, many Catholics in Ireland-had-enlisted in the Army. For these and other reasons the volunteers were not suppressed. ■ The Constabulary was considered strong enough to, oope with any disorders.. AT" mobile force of two thousand men, five hundred mounted men, and three machine-guns was always in readiness. These, with 2500 men at the Curragh, were thought capable of dealing with an outbreak in Dublin, but,, contrary to expectations, the}' proved insufficient. The insurrection was conducted with greater organisation and skill than bad been' attributed to tho volunteers, who acted with great courage. ' Illegal Drilling. Replying to questions, Sir Matthew Nathan said the regulations regarding the carrying of arms were not'enforced in Ireland, because so many were carrying arms with a legal purpose, and it would have been regarded as trifling to require tliem to take out licenses. Tho 'statute against illegal drilling'was not enforced. : The President: AVhy?. Sir Matthew Nathan: "We were afraid to enforce the Act. Wo 1 were deterred practically for \ political purposes. Jlr. Birrcll was aware of the facts, and was aware that women were being trained to tend the wounded. Sham-fights wero practised for .the capture • of Dublin Castle. The President remarked that it was extraordinary that they should he permitted to make a mimic attack on the Caslle without hindrance. Sir Matthew Nathan: "We aro accustomed to all sorts of operations in Ireland." He admitted that it was not n desirable development, • but it was not thought that it preceded a real attack. In connection with an enemy landing, it was behoved that interference would cause bloodshed, whereas it would blow over if ignored. Sir Matthew Nathan explained that tho manifesto previously mentioned was issued, by the original Provisional Committee of the Irish Volunteers on the eve of the Premier's meeting on September 25, 1914. The manifesto regretted that Sir Roger Casement's absence prevented him signing it. • Sir Matthew Nathan added that tho day after John M'Ncill's Irish Volunteers issued the manifesto against forcing Irishmen into the'army unless a National Government was established. Mr. .Tolin' Redmond's Nationalist V.olunteers declined to 165,000, and M'Ncill's rose \o 13,500. The Nationalist Volunteers on the day of the outbreak numbered 105,000. Of the Dublin Corps of 3000 in the Citizen Army, on Easter Monday, the majority belonged to Larkin's Transporters' Union. They were under Connolly, and were supported by tlie Irish Republican I'und, which was controlled by men acting with utmost secrecy. It was believed that the close association of the Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers dated from the end of 1915. but there was no doubt that they had in recent months worked as otio body. Twelve of llio Executive Committee of tho Volmvters and the lenders of tho Citizen Army constituted the iniPv oircle, maturing tho plans for the insurrection.

A Sensation. A. sensation was creatcd when Sir Mat-' thew Nathan said: "I communicated with Mr. Redmond, Mr. Billon, and Mr. Devlin about tho state of Ireland. I was unable to communicate with Mr. Hcaly, because shortly after I went thero Mr. Healy said things about me which made It impossible." MILITARY BRUTALITIES ALLEGED STATEMENT BY SIR JOHN MAXWELL j (Bee. May 10, 10.30 p.m.) London, May ID. Many accusations oi brutality against the troops are current in Dublin, including an accusation that the soldiers killed unarmed and unoffending citizens. General Sir John Maxwell, interviewed, Baid that the most desperate fighting was in North King Streot. Tho rebels fired from the roofs and upper windows, moving from house to house, sometimes escaping by back doors and then firing on the troops from behind each house they had searched. "We found rebels always hiding behind women. They threw away their rifles, ami herded liko timid ciizens with their wives in cellars. It was difficult to control tho troops in such circumstances. When they saw their comrades killed by un-uniformed and. treaoherous assailants, ,somo may have «een_red. I have ordered the strictest inquiry, and will parade the battalions concerned, and see if the accusers can indentify the officers and men responsible. Some of these allegations are false, and made' in order to establish a claim for Government compensation." THE NEW RULE IN IRELAND PRESS COMMENT London, May IS. The "Manchester Guardian/' commenting on Mr. Asq.uitli's plans, recommends the enlargement of the Irish Privy Council, so as to include men of all parties to carry on the harmonious administration of the laws, while awaiting the full measure of Home Rule. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, May 18. The "Times," in a leader, says:—'We do not modify our opinion as to Mr. Asquith's inadequacy for the leadership of a War Government. While ho is credited ;m unusual capacity for grasping political difficulties, ho seems to havo used liis time in Ireland in consulting various elements of local opinion. This is no time for a complete recasting of policy. The Home Rule Bill is on the Statute Book; let it remain there. We are disposed to suggest that the most practical temporary solution of the Irish question is to take it up exactly where it was left two years ago. . Neither Mr. John Redmond nor Sir Edward Carson can hind their followers, but they are still the outstanding figures. Both have shown zeal for the war, which is the supreme motive for restoring peace in Irelwifl. A. renewed discussion, between them might lead to some form' of Provisional Government, and it would be an immense relief and assistance in dfhling with the rest of Ireland to have the Ulster question o>it of the way."

PRIME MINISTER. AT CORK. (Rec. May 19, 10.30 p.m.) London, May 19. Mr. Asquith visited Cork and interviewed the members of tho municipality clergy,, military, and police. He received an ovation on leaving for London. :